GTA Weekly Bulletin

Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning

The Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) weekly email bulletin features news, upcoming events, and teaching resources tailored to the teaching needs of Graduate Teaching Assistants at South Dakota State University. It is typically sent on Tuesdays.

Week of January 16, 2018

Request a Spring Teaching Observation

The Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) is excited to again formally announce the opportunity for Graduate Teaching Assistants to engage in teaching observations conducted confidentially by CETL’s Assistant Director and GTA Training Program Coordinator, Shelly Bayer.

Observations of teaching through the CETL are a supportive, positive, and constructive process that focus on helping GTAs identify and develop their teaching strengths. Observations follow the Peer Observation Model and typically involve an observation followed by a one-on-one feedback session. These observations are strictly confidential between the GTA and Dr. Bayer. The primary goal of the CETL is to focus this process on teaching enhancement.

We strongly recommend scheduling an observation as soon as possible. Once a request for an observation is made, Dr. Bayer will work with the GTA to gather information needed (syllabus, assignments, etc.) to make the process as highly effective as possible.

In order to schedule as observation please send an initial email request to Shelly.Bayer@sdstate.edu ASAP. There is no guarantee that your request can be fulfilled due to the number of requests received and Shelly’s availability. Her schedule fills quickly, so prioritize taking advantage of this service by sending an email today.

Focusing on CETL Teaching Certification Requirements

It’s time to finalize your Certificate of Teaching Excellence or Certificate of Highest Excellence requirements. Write your original syllabus or craft your Teaching Philosophy statement. Brainstorm your demonstrators of teaching effectiveness and turn them into action. Request a CETL observation.

Please stop by the CETL office if you need some guidance. This year’s deadline to submit materials is Monday, April 9th. For those who submitted materials over winter break, thank you! Your feedback is coming soon.

For more information on the CETL Certificates of Teaching Excellence, follow the link:

Training in 20 – CETL Showcase Webinar

What Key Factors Influence Test Performance?

There are a lot of things going on that can keep your students from performing at their best. This program shows you the kinds of challenges your students face and then offers a simple, adaptable classroom tool that you can use to help your students help themselves learn course material and effectively demonstrate their knowledge on exams.

This webinar can be accessed by clicking here! You will be asked to login to gain access to the webinar. To utilize the SDSU login please follow the steps found here! Please remember you must complete the free access/subscription information to access these webinars.

GTA Workshop Series Based on Learning Principles Theme

Next week the Spring GTA Workshop Series will be announced. Each workshop in the series will be based on a researched-based Principle of Learning. Attending these sessions will build your pedagogical knowledge base and teach you highly effective strategies that target each of the research-based principles of learning. Presenters will be campus faculty who excel at the Learning Principle they will be presenting. They will provide examples from their teaching experiences at SDSU and each session will be designed to allow you time to personalize the content. This is a professional development opportunity you want to prioritize!

Articles of the Week

The culture you create matters. Make sure it focuses on learning by utilizing a framework.

This article highlights devoted professors who might encourage you to take risks and try new teaching approaches. The article is from The Chronicle of Higher Education’s premium content. SDSU does have a subscription to The Chronicle, so you can access their premium content for free. It’s a resource you need to be reading.

Conferences on Teaching and Learning

If you are looking for an opportunity to engage in professional development focused on Teaching, Learning, or the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning the following conferences are great opportunities.